Faithful, committed, kind, and loyal are not terms normally associated with politicians!

We are studying King David and his administration. The first thing I noticed was that David’s personal bodyguards were mercenaries, not men from his regular army!

He paid for them to protect him. They had nothing to gain by being disloyal and everything to lose. They would not have trusted anyone because everyone else had a motive to kill the king.

2 Samuel 8:18, “Jehoiada’s son Benaiah was in command of the Cherethites and Pelethites; and David’s sons were priests.” Common English Bible

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“David’s reign is characterized by the covenant qualities of justice and righteousness. He establishes leaders around him: military officers, scribes, and priests (including at least some of David’s sons). It is noteworthy that while Joab commands David’s regular army, David also maintains a personal mercenary force (Cherethites and Pelethites) commanded by Benaiah. This ensures a loyal force guarding the king’s own person.” Common English Bible Notes on 2 Samuel 9:18

The second thing I noticed was David’s sons were part of his administration. I wondered how they could be “priests?”

1 Chronicles 18:17, “…and David’s sons were the king’s chief personal advisors.” Common English Bible

In Chronicles, they were called personal advisors.

David ran from King Saul for 15 years. He had sons from more than one wife. These young men traveled with David and witnessed firsthand how God rescued him time after time. They watched their father seek God for guidance at every turn. If they were doing the same, they would have been the best advisors. He reigned in Hebron for 7 years making his sons in their early twenties.

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David didn’t forget his commitment to Jonathan when he became king. 2 Samuel 9 tells how he searched for Jonathan’s son and brought him to live with him at the palace.

“David uses the term translated in 9:1 and 9:7 as ‘faithful love’ three times (it is translated as ‘kindness’ in 9:3) to describe why he sought out Jonathan’s son, Mephibosheth. The ‘faithful’ quality indicates covenant love or committed love. This kind of love is prominent in the story of the friendship of David and Jonathan, and the commitments they make to each other (see notes on 1 Samuel 20). That pledge of friendship included care for any of Jonathan’s family in the future. Here David fulfills his pledge.” Common English Bible Notes on 2 Samuel 9:1, 3, 7.

Faithful love, covenant love, committed love = kindness!

I have no trouble being faithful to David and keeping my marriage vows. I am committed to him but I am not always kind! This was a humbling paragraph to read!

David went even further! The commitment he made to Jonathan he also made to Nahash, king of the Ammonites.

2 Samuel 10:2, “David said, ‘I’ll be loyal to Nahash’s son Hanun, just as his father was loyal to me.'” Common English Bible

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“When Ammon’s King Nahash dies, David sends condolences to Nahash’s son Hanun. David states his intention to be loyal as Nahash was loyal to him. This is the same word for faithful commitment used to describe David’s commitment to Jonathan (2 Samuel 9:1, 3, 7). Whether it is in personal relationships or in diplomatic relationships, David honors commitments.” Common English Bible Notes on 2 Samuel 10:1-5

David honored Hanun just as he honored Mephibosheth. He treated them as he had treated their fathers.

• David didn’t give honor; he was honorable.
• He didn’t show faithfulness; he was faithful.
• He didn’t express commitment, he was committed.
• He didn’t show kindness; he was kind.
• He was the same in his personal life as he was in his diplomatic life.

Be like David.

February 16: Psalm 86; 2 Samuel 8; 1 Chronicles 18; Psalm 60; 2 Samuel 9, 10; 1 Chronicles 19.

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